What started out as the realization of Coach Robert Shields’ biggest fear may turn out to be the proper thing to focus his team on getting back to another state baseball tournament. Thanks to another strong performance on the mound, in the field and at the plate, Bridgeport managed to bounce back from losing its first game in the Class AA, Region II, Section 4 final to claim the sectional crown Monday with an 8-1 win against Lincoln.

 

Pitching? They got plenty from Jared Cleghorn.

 

Hitting? Once again, the Tribe was in double digits as they pounded out 13 base hits.

 

Defense? The Indians didn’t commit an error in the field.

 

The result was a convincing 8-1 win over Lincoln last night at the BHS baseball complex. The victory moved the Tribe to 31-3 on the year. Lincoln closes its campaign at 17-11.

 

“Maybe they did us a favor because they took it to us and gave us all we wanted; even last night,” said Shields. “We had to refocus and Lincoln made us do that in a big way.”

 

Bridgeport now moves into the Class AA, Region II semifinal next Tuesday. The Indians will host Harrison County foe Liberty at 6:30 p.m.

 

Cleghorn moved to 6-0 on the year by going the distance in a very efficient outing. Over seven innings, Cleghorn gave up just four hits, one run and struck out seven. More important, he didn’t walk a batter and threw less than 80 pitches.

 

“He was a bulldog up there. He was very efficient. With your pitch count that low, you’re doing something right,” said Shields.

 

Unlike the first game against the Cougars where offense was a struggle and the visitors scored early and often, Bridgeport jumped out of the gates quick in this one. The Tribe scored three times in the bottom of the first inning.

 

A Joe LaRocca double scored Dante Bonamico for the game’s first run and LaRocca came home on a Hunter Fain single for what would prove to be enough offense to win the game. Bridgeport added a third run when Joseph Dodrill singled home Fain later in the inning.

The only blemish on Cleghorn’s effort came in the second inning when Lincoln’s pitcher, Brandon Fazalare, who handcuffed the Tribe in the initial game, drilled a home run in the top of the second to make it 3-1.

 

“It was good to jump out to an early lead, but we squandered a lot of opportunities after that,” said Shields. “I’m always waiting for a big inning, but I didn’t want to wait until the sixth inning to get it. At the same time, it was nice to see the next big opportunity get taken advantage of in the sixth inning.”

 

It was in the bottom of the sixth that the game when from up in the air to almost in the bag. A one-out double by Elijah Drummond got things going and that was followed by a walk and back-to-back hit batters that scored Drummond for a 4-1 advantage.

 

With the bases loaded and the Cougars using a new pitcher, LaRocca wasted no time in clearing a portion of the bases. His single drove in two Bridgeport runners and made the score 6-1. Incredibly, Bonamico would score the next run on a fly out to the second baseman; turning a routine fly into a sacrifice fly. The final run came plateward courtesy of a Fain single.

 

LaRocca had the big day at the plate going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Hunter Mann, Fain, Bonamico and Drummond all added two hits in the win.

 

“It was good to see that many hits up and down the lineup,” said Shields. “We had pressure on us and I thought the kids handled it really well. Last night they went deep into the counts and worked the Lincoln pitching. The only really concern right now is that even though we’re hitting it hard, we’re flying out a whole lot.”

 

Bridgeport now plays Liberty. The Indians and the Mountaineers have met once already this season. The Tribe took a 10-1 win at Liberty’s field on April 2.

 

“I can tell you it’s not the same club we faced. They’re much improved and playing with a lot of confidence,” said Shields. “We didn’t see the (Ty) Wickline kid (who is a pitcher) and he’s tough. A lot of those kids that were younger when we faced them have gained experience. It’s going to be a battle.”

 

Despite the postseason underway, the break in the action allows teams still competing to play what are considered regular season games. Bridgeport, which played 30 regular season games, still has two contests it can schedule before next week’s game with Liberty.

 

Bridgeport will visit Ripley Thursday for a 6 p.m. contest. The Indians, he said, are looking for a home game on Friday, but nothing has been finalized. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.